Leica Q and SL System

[charles tay]

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I owned a leica Q3 and Fuji XT5. I was considering to switch out from the Fuji XT5 to a Leica SL3. For those whom owned a leica Q system and SL system. How do you use SL system to compliment your shooting experience?

I mainly do street photography and landscape and I bring my Fuji for hiking with a telephoto lens to shoot forest animals and scenery. 

I have a M6 Film paired to my M lens 50mm. 

I wondering if I offload my Fuji system and goes into SL3 what lens should I pair with. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2024 by charles tay
Typo

[dpitt]

I do not own a Q3, but of course I would use my SL mostly as the versatile system camera it is.
It will also be very good with your 50mm M lens. So buying a standard (mechanical) M-L adapter will be enough to make use of it. Something like URTH or Novoflex will do. Of course the Leica adapter is best and will provide EXIF info and auto recognition of your M lens if they are 6-bit coded, but choosing the lens profile manually is possible  wilth any adapter. The SL will use the profile but will not store any info in the EXIF data...

Trying to make the SL range as small and light as the Q3 is hopeless, so the Q3 will probably be the first choice on long hikes and maybe for traveling. Less so if you use a nice Leica M or Leica R lens with it. They can be quites small and light compared to the native Leica SL lenses. Of course if you need AF and OIS that is the way to go, but I would always try where the M lenses and R lenses get you before looking at cheaper third party L mount lenses. The first one for size and the latter for IQ/price ratio compared to the M equivalents.

[David Wien]

I have been a Canon R6 user for some years and bought a Q3 four months ago. What attracted me is the sharpness of the images, and the relative lightness and simplicity. I like this camera a lot, and frequently crop the 60MP images quite radically, with impressive results, technically — up to a point. What I miss about the Q3 with its fixed 28mm lens are wider focal lengths (I regularly use an RF16 and other even wider angle lenses with the R6, plus a couple of telephoto lenses up to 300mm. (I am not interested in photographing distant birds.) It therefore occurred to me to investigate Leica‘s offerings in these areas. Given the 60MP sensor of the SL3, it should be possible to crop the output of the SL90mm lens to achieve the effect of 250mm or so, for instance. I thought about this and, apart from the cost of the combination (€10,800 retail), the weight of c. 1.5kg is quite offputting. Substituing the SL24-90 mm lens would make the comination 440gm heavier! I have therefore decided to stay with the R6 and RF24-240mm for the time being — unless I win something like the Irish Sweepstakes, or feel compelled by the consequences of climate change to sell my car! 😀

David

Edited March 20, 2024 by David Wien

[Simone_DF]

If you want to carry the SL3 on a hike, perhaps the Sigmas are your best bet as they tend to be smaller and lighter than the Leicas.

Forget M or R lenses, as good as they are, they are old designs that give their best performance on their respective cameras, they'll never be as good as a modern, native L mount option.

[charles tay]

7 hours ago, David Wien said:

I have been a Canon R6 user for some years and bought a Q3 four months ago. What attracted me is the sharpness of the images, and the relative lightness and simplicity. I like this camera a lot, and frequently crop the 60MP images quite radically, with impressive results, technically — up to a point. What I miss about the Q3 with its fixed 28mm lens are wider focal lengths (I regularly use an RF16 and other even wider angle lenses with the R6, plus a couple of telephoto lenses up to 300mm. (I am not interested in photographing distant birds.) It therefore occurred to me to investigate Leica‘s offerings in these areas. Given the 60MP sensor of the SL3, it should be possible to crop the output of the SL90mm lens to achieve the effect of 250mm or so, for instance. I thought about this and, apart from the cost of the combination (€10,800 retail), the weight of c. 1.5kg is quite offputting. Substituing the SL24-90 mm lens would make the comination 440gm heavier! I have therefore decided to stay with the R6 and RF24-240mm for the time being — unless I win something like the Irish Sweepstakes, or feel compelled by the consequences of climate change to sell my car! 😀

David

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Just like you, I am not particularly interested in bird photography, but I do prefer a telephoto range of 70-300mm, which my Fuji Lens provides with an XT5 body. The current weight and portability of XT5 and XF Lens 70-300mm are reasonable for me, and I can even add a 1.4x teleconverter. I became curious about the SL3 after trying out the Q3 and watching videos about the SL3 on YouTube by Red Dot Forum. I visited the Leica Shop to try out the demo unit, and after comparing the SL2S and SL3, I prefer the weight and build quality of the SL3.

I found the SL3 with the lens converter and M Lens 50mm to be portable, but the SL Zoom Lens 24-70mm was heavy and uncomfortable.

If I add SL3 + APO SL 90mm (body weight is 850g + lens 700g = 1.5kg), the Retail price of the Camera is $11k SGD, and the M to L Lens converter + APO SL 90mm is $4100 est SGD. My considerations now are firstly weight/portability and second cost. 

Same as you I have yet to feel a compelling use case for SL3 and continue to explore further on the forum and youtube. I have started to sell off my Fuji Lens that i use for street photography. 

 

[lencap]

I owned both the original Q and SL 601.  The sensors complimented each other perfectly, making it very easy to synchronize settings, as well as post processing.  I'd definitely suggest if you intend to pair Q/SL bodies trying to maximize compatibility between sensors will make things easier.

For street shooting the Q is very easy to use, and the small size is a plus.  I'm not a big fan of the 28mm focal length, but you can work with it.  The ability to autofocus, along with the ability to switch to manual model and use zone focusing, for me, made it more versatile and more likely to get the shot in any conditions compared to an M body (I'm a senior citizen, eyesight's not what it used to be).

The SL body is a wonderful tool, the most flexible of all Leica platforms, with the downside being weight.  If shooting with Leica lenses the weight becomes apparent after a full day shooting.  For that reason, the only SL lens I own is the newer SL-Summicron 50mm f/2.0 ASPH.  It's a wonderful lens, very crisp, but not harsh, good corner to corner clarity, and among the lightest Leica L mount lenses.  I also own the Panasonic 20-60 L mount lens, a very lightweight lens with lots of flexibility - it's a good street shooting option for lightweight use.  The downside is a bit less resolution, but the bigger issue is the slow speed of the lens and variable aperture.  Not a great choice for hypercritical focusing.

As an aside, I owned the Leica SL-Elmarit 24-90 zoom, and the Sigma ART L mount 50mm f/1.4 lens. Both were excellent, with the downside being weight - LOTS of it.  Not very good for street, but high quality and very nice rendering.  The zoom is great, essentially 6 prime lenses in one body, but the variable aperture is a bit limiting. After using it for some time I fully understand why the SL 601 was launched with the zoom as the only lens - it's really all you need.  If you're outdoors in good light it's the lens to have.   And if you're a film shooter from back in the day, the old Nikon F film cameras were at least as heavy as the 601, and the larger Nikon lenses were also comparable in weight to the 24-90 zoom.  Back then I enjoyed the weight - it stabilized the shooting platform.  Now, with IBIS, it's less necessary.  Also, the 24-90 is a stabilized lens the works perfectly on the 601 body, even though the body doesn't have stabilization.  That's a BIG advantage with the heavier lens, and the results are stellar.  Truth be told, I'm seriously considering repurchasing a 24-90, despite the weight and variable aperture.  At current used prices it's hard to ignore.  It's a VERY special lens, and makes any shot feel like a "special occasion".  On the other hand, if you tire of carrying heavy lenses, the Panasonic 20-60 gives a lot of different looks for very little money and is among the lightest L lenses.

 

Edited March 21, 2024 by lencap

[charles tay]

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2 hours ago, lencap said:

I owned both the original Q and SL 601.  The sensors complimented each other perfectly, making it very easy to synchronize settings, as well as post processing.  I'd definitely suggest if you intend to pair Q/SL bodies trying to maximize compatibility between sensors will make things easier.

For street shooting the Q is very easy to use, and the small size is a plus.  I'm not a big fan of the 28mm focal length, but you can work with it.  The ability to autofocus, along with the ability to switch to manual model and use zone focusing, for me, made it more versatile and more likely to get the shot in any conditions compared to an M body (I'm a senior citizen, eyesight's not what it used to be).

The SL body is a wonderful tool, the most flexible of all Leica platforms, with the downside being weight.  If shooting with Leica lenses the weight becomes apparent after a full day shooting.  For that reason, the only SL lens I own is the newer SL-Summicron 50mm f/2.0 ASPH.  It's a wonderful lens, very crisp, but not harsh, good corner to corner clarity, and among the lightest Leica L mount lenses.  I also own the Panasonic 20-60 L mount lens, a very lightweight lens with lots of flexibility - it's a good street shooting option for lightweight use.  The downside is a bit less resolution, but the bigger issue is the slow speed of the lens and variable aperture.  Not a great choice for hypercritical focusing.

As an aside, I owned the Leica SL-Elmarit 24-90 zoom, and the Sigma ART L mount 50mm f/1.4 lens. Both were excellent, with the downside being weight - LOTS of it.  Not very good for street, but high quality and very nice rendering.  The zoom is great, essentially 6 prime lenses in one body, but the variable aperture is a bit limiting. After using it for some time I fully understand why the SL 601 was launched with the zoom as the only lens - it's really all you need.  If you're outdoors in good light it's the lens to have.   And if you're a film shooter from back in the day, the old Nikon F film cameras were at least as heavy as the 601, and the larger Nikon lenses were also comparable in weight to the 24-90 zoom.  Back then I enjoyed the weight - it stabilized the shooting platform.  Now, with IBIS, it's less necessary.  Also, the 24-90 is a stabilized lens the works perfectly on the 601 body, even though the body doesn't have stabilization.  That's a BIG advantage with the heavier lens, and the results are stellar.  Truth be told, I'm seriously considering repurchasing a 24-90, despite the weight and variable aperture.  At current used prices it's hard to ignore.  It's a VERY special lens, and makes any shot feel like a "special occasion".  On the other hand, if you tire of carrying heavy lenses, the Panasonic 20-60 gives a lot of different looks for very little money and is among the lightest L lenses.

 

Thank you for suggesting the Panasonic Lens 20-60mm L Mount. It's a great and affordable alternative that is also lighter in weight. I am considering pairing it with my SL3 camera and a Leica M 90mm Lens to cover the range that the Q lens does not have. It's just a thought at this point.. 



 

[Qwertynm]

If you want to cover Tele on the SL3 you could also consider the TL 55-135. It's designed for APS-C cameras, so the SL3 will revert to crop mode and you'll be shooting at roughly 24MP. Apparently it's quite good but I don't have personal experience.

Like David I too shoot with the Canon system. I pair the Q3 with a my Canon 50 f/1.2 or 70-200 f/4 but have other more speciality lenses like a Tilt-Shift lens and a 1:1 Macro. Luckily the Q3 is a closed system and it's reasonable to shoot with something cheaper for other focal length needs. But I can see how after trying the Q3 you're side-eyeing that SL3 sensor. Image quality out of the Q3 is top notch and so will the SL3 with good glass be...

[charles tay]

On 3/21/2024 at 11:44 AM, lencap said:

I owned both the original Q and SL 601.  The sensors complimented each other perfectly, making it very easy to synchronize settings, as well as post processing.  I'd definitely suggest if you intend to pair Q/SL bodies trying to maximize compatibility between sensors will make things easier.

For street shooting the Q is very easy to use, and the small size is a plus.  I'm not a big fan of the 28mm focal length, but you can work with it.  The ability to autofocus, along with the ability to switch to manual model and use zone focusing, for me, made it more versatile and more likely to get the shot in any conditions compared to an M body (I'm a senior citizen, eyesight's not what it used to be).

The SL body is a wonderful tool, the most flexible of all Leica platforms, with the downside being weight.  If shooting with Leica lenses the weight becomes apparent after a full day shooting.  For that reason, the only SL lens I own is the newer SL-Summicron 50mm f/2.0 ASPH.  It's a wonderful lens, very crisp, but not harsh, good corner to corner clarity, and among the lightest Leica L mount lenses.  I also own the Panasonic 20-60 L mount lens, a very lightweight lens with lots of flexibility - it's a good street shooting option for lightweight use.  The downside is a bit less resolution, but the bigger issue is the slow speed of the lens and variable aperture.  Not a great choice for hypercritical focusing.

As an aside, I owned the Leica SL-Elmarit 24-90 zoom, and the Sigma ART L mount 50mm f/1.4 lens. Both were excellent, with the downside being weight - LOTS of it.  Not very good for street, but high quality and very nice rendering.  The zoom is great, essentially 6 prime lenses in one body, but the variable aperture is a bit limiting. After using it for some time I fully understand why the SL 601 was launched with the zoom as the only lens - it's really all you need.  If you're outdoors in good light it's the lens to have.   And if you're a film shooter from back in the day, the old Nikon F film cameras were at least as heavy as the 601, and the larger Nikon lenses were also comparable in weight to the 24-90 zoom.  Back then I enjoyed the weight - it stabilized the shooting platform.  Now, with IBIS, it's less necessary.  Also, the 24-90 is a stabilized lens the works perfectly on the 601 body, even though the body doesn't have stabilization.  That's a BIG advantage with the heavier lens, and the results are stellar.  Truth be told, I'm seriously considering repurchasing a 24-90, despite the weight and variable aperture.  At current used prices it's hard to ignore.  It's a VERY special lens, and makes any shot feel like a "special occasion".  On the other hand, if you tire of carrying heavy lenses, the Panasonic 20-60 gives a lot of different looks for very little money and is among the lightest L lenses.

 

I have decided to put down a deposit for the new SL3 and explore lens options. I hope I won't regret the size. It's time for me to sell my Fuji gear.

[FocusDot]

On 3/20/2024 at 7:19 PM, Simone_DF said:

Forget M or R lenses, as good as they are, they are old designs that give their best performance on their respective cameras, they'll never be as good as a modern, native L mount option.

I see this completely differently - I think M lenses perform perfectly on SL platform. While 50 SL Lux e.g. might be more perfect than 50 M Lux, I think M Lux performs insanely good and I would never exchange it to SL version of it. A potential gain in quality/sharpness/whatever is minor (imho) compared to increase in size/weight

If one is into pixel peeping - SL APO's are probably way to go. I am not. The vast majority of SL images I find to be great here on l-forum are those taken with M lenses.
As it was said many times - it is about photographer, not the lens. And M lenses would not limit one for sure...

I attach a test image from the other day when SL3 was presented. Taken with 50 M Lux. Not because I think it is a great image (it is a decent test image though), just to show what it can be expected in regards to sharpness and image quality in general using 50 M Lux on SL3

All that being said - I have SL 24-90 which I love very much. I also have 2 huge Sigma's (105 1.4 and 35 1.2) - both great lenses, but not for everyday use.

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[Simone_DF]

3 hours ago, FocusDot said:

I see this completely differently - I think M lenses perform perfectly on SL platform.

I do have the 50 Lux M and it performs well. Other lenses, especially wider than 50mm, do not. Plenty of examples on the forum.

[mokona]

There is a tiny sigma 90mm f2.8 in L mount that covers full frame. In the same range, the Panasonic 100mm could be interesting, light weight and macro for hiking. 

[charles tay]

2 hours ago, mokona said:

There is a tiny sigma 90mm f2.8 in L mount that covers full frame. In the same range, the Panasonic 100mm could be interesting, light weight and macro for hiking. 

Thanks for pointing out the new Panasonic 100mm L Mount Lens i can use for Macro and also hiking use. 

[charles tay]

7 hours ago, FocusDot said:

I see this completely differently - I think M lenses perform perfectly on SL platform. While 50 SL Lux e.g. might be more perfect than 50 M Lux, I think M Lux performs insanely good and I would never exchange it to SL version of it. A potential gain in quality/sharpness/whatever is minor (imho) compared to increase in size/weight

If one is into pixel peeping - SL APO's are probably way to go. I am not. The vast majority of SL images I find to be great here on l-forum are those taken with M lenses.
As it was said many times - it is about photographer, not the lens. And M lenses would not limit one for sure...

I attach a test image from the other day when SL3 was presented. Taken with 50 M Lux. Not because I think it is a great image (it is a decent test image though), just to show what it can be expected in regards to sharpness and image quality in general using 50 M Lux on SL3

All that being said - I have SL 24-90 which I love very much. I also have 2 huge Sigma's (105 1.4 and 35 1.2) - both great lenses, but not for everyday use.

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In your opinion, will it be worth for me to experiment vintage Leica M Lens pre ASPH ones on the new SL3 sensor? 

[OR120]

7 hours ago, charles tay said:

In your opinion, will it be worth for me to experiment vintage Leica M Lens pre ASPH ones on the new SL3 sensor? 

It's best to try lenses out for yourself - see if YOU like the results. If possible - if you have friends with Leica gear or -- if you have a Leica dealer near you - bring your own card and try the SL3 with a few different lenses. I think you'll be surprised - M glass, R glass and many other brands work very well on L bodies. I use Leica R, M, Zeiss, Lumix, my old Nikon glass and what ever else might be in my cabinet. Again, try to test out a few lenses BEORE you buy - if possible. I think you might be surprised. No matter what - the L body is just a pleasure to go out and shoot.

[OR120]

Example - my SL2-s with my 50 R Summilux E60 - I think it works OK

 

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[FocusDot]

On 3/22/2024 at 2:19 PM, Simone_DF said:

I do have the 50 Lux M and it performs well. Other lenses, especially wider than 50mm, do not. Plenty of examples on the forum.

Well, it could be. I admit I do not have wide M lenses to use on my SL2. But 50 Lux performs well, 90 Summarit is stellar, would never sell it. Have also seen many examples with 50 and 75 Noctilux on SL cameras - I bet it is a better combo than with M cameras...

Edited March 24, 2024 by FocusDot

[FocusDot]

On 3/22/2024 at 6:02 PM, charles tay said:

In your opinion, will it be worth for me to experiment vintage Leica M Lens pre ASPH ones on the new SL3 sensor? 

See what OR120 said.

On 3/23/2024 at 2:00 AM, OR120 said:

It's best to try lenses out for yourself - see if YOU like the results. If possible - if you have friends with Leica gear or -- if you have a Leica dealer near you - bring your own card and try the SL3 with a few different lenses. I think you'll be surprised - M glass, R glass and many other brands work very well on L bodies. I use Leica R, M, Zeiss, Lumix, my old Nikon glass and what ever else might be in my cabinet. Again, try to test out a few lenses BEORE you buy - if possible. I think you might be surprised. No matter what - the L body is just a pleasure to go out and shoot.

Can only confirm. That is beauty of L system. I also use Zeiss Milvus (Nikon mount) and Nikkor 50 1.2 Ais on my SL. M lenses for sure, but at the same time Sigma ART lenses.
And top of the cream - SL APO, but deep pockets are required for that.

But specifically - if I would primarily wanted to use vintage M lenses I would buy SL2-S, not SL3

[huwm]

for hiking I carry the Q3 with SL2 S and Pan 70-300 quite often.

If I don't mind a lens change then I leave the Q3 and take SL2 S with Pan 16-35 and Pan 70-300  but sometimes just the Pan 24-105.

All pretty light combinations in a sling bag.

The Pan 20-60 and 100 macro is another combo I'll try I think.

 

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